There are a few issues with wall-to-wall carpeting that can affect baby's sensitive

system. Carpets can harbor dust mites and allergens, and new synthetic carpets

can off-gas VOCs.
Keep baby's room carpet-free, and add an area rug for color and warmth. Carpet

tiles are an eco-friendly option, since they can be used as an area rug and the tiles

can be individually cleaned when necessary. If you insist on wall-to-wall carpet,

go with one made of natural fibers such as wool, cotton, hemp or jute. Look for

natural underlay to carpet as well.

Furniture

Look for furniture made from certified sustainable wood or reclaimed materials.

There are also companies that sell sturdy furniture designed to grow with your child.

As with adult furniture, pressed-wood products made with resins and glues that

often have high levels of VOCs should be avoided. Plastic is not the best choice for

kids' rooms. The material is made from petroleum and plastic items will likely end up

in a landfill when you dispose of them. Sealants and paints should be nontoxic.

Toys

Soft organic cotton toys are a cute nontoxic alternative. Wooden toys are classics;

look for wood that comes from FSC-certified forests, and paint and finishes that

are nontoxic (or toys that are unpainted).

 

 

Diapers

 

Article: The Case for Disposable Diapers.

(For information on diapers please contact me and I will send you a list of articles

for you to decide at to whether you use cloth verses disposable diapers as there are

many mixed reviews.

 

 

 

 

Safe and Effective Sunscreens:

What are some safe and effective sunscreens?

It's time to replenish sunscreen supplies for those upcoming beach junkets, mountain

hikes, and lazy days by the pool. Each summer, doctors and public service

announcements remind us about the importance of slathering on the sunscreen

before heading outdoors. The biggest benefits of course are that sunscreen helps

absorb and/or reflect harmful UVA and UVB rays, which can cause premature aging

and skin cancer.

 

This year I'm greening up my medicine cabinet, which means my beach bag will be

including healthier sun products. The chemicals used to make sunscreen may not

always be great for our bodies or for delicate marine ecosystems. While sunscreen

is an absolute must, there are things you can do to choose one that is better for

you and the environment.

Go Mineral

Sunscreens containing zinc dioxide or titanium dioxide are great alternatives to

those with chemicals such as oxybenzone. Zinc and titanium are minerals that

provide broad-spectrum coverage, reflecting both UVA and UVB rays. An added

benefit is that many zinc and titanium sunscreens these days are micronized to avoid

the white, painted-on look. Carefully read the list of active ingredients before

purchasing as some sunscreens contain zinc and titanium in combination with other chemicals.

Pick Healthier Ingredients

Not all sunscreens claiming to be natural are equal. Many cosmetics and sunscreens,

even those with natural and organic labels, contain preservatives to insure products remain as fresh as possible. When shopping for a sunscreen, consider avoiding ones

with harsher chemical preservatives such as parabens (including butylparaben and methylparaben), which have had mixed health reviews. Instead, look for sun

products without preservatives or those with milder preservatives such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.

Also, steer clear of sunscreens with petroleum-based ingredients such as mineral oil.

Look for natural emollients such as olive, sunflower and jojoba oils, and shea and

cocoa butter, to name a few.

Think prevention!

While you are greening up your sun products, don't forget about all of the other

advice you have heard over the years. With more than 1 million cases of skin

cancer being diagnosed in the U.S. each year, it is important to wear sunscreen

even on cloudy days and while indoors since UVA rays can penetrate glass. Look f

or a sunscreen that is waterproof and has at least an SPF of 15. Additionally,

consider avoiding direct sunlight between 10 am and 4 pm.

 

For yourself, and especially for your kids, buy sun protective clothing you can wear

in the water and on the beach. One of my sun-averse friends has never let her

fair-haired, 4-year-old daughter onto the beach or in a pool without a full-body

swimsuit that completely covers her arms and legs. And ya know what? She hasn't

burned yet! For adults, you might want to check out fun "surfer-wear" board shorts

and rashguard shirts for more coverage in the water. Look for fabrics with a 50 UPF (ultraviolet protection factor).

Like most things, think moderation! A little bit of sun can be a good thing – just

don't overdo it!

 

The Environmental Working Group's Top 5 choices for safe effective sunscreens

are these:

1. Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock
2. Rukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum
3. California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance
4. Badger Sunscreen
55. Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum

 

8 Steps to Eco-Parenting:

How do I eco-parent?

Raising children is hard enough without worrying about the environmental

consequences of your parenting choices. Don’t sweat it. You already care about

your child’s well-being and green choices make it easier. When it comes to eco-

parenting, here are eight fundamentals:

 

1. Lead by example. You are the greatest role model your child will have. She will

look up to you, learn from you, and embrace your habits. If you teach when you talk,

you avoid many of the “why” questions that inevitably come when she sees you

separating food scraps from glass from cardboard or turning the lights off when you

leave a room.

 

2. Instill fundamental human needs. In addition to love, he or she needs to know

that clean air, clean water, and clean soil are essential to human life. He can live

without video games, but he cannot live without these precious commodities.

 

3. Share “green” experiences. Start a composting project or visit the aquarium to

learn about the importance of the marine world to our lives. What happens when we

take too many fish out of the sea or dump too much garbage into it? How does it

affect the family? Come up with other "green" experiences.

 

4. Seriously consider breastfeeding. In a perfect world, no food is better

(or greener) for an infant than mother’s milk. It is the ultimate in nutritious, local

food production. Don’t take my word for it - check out the American Medical

Association position on breastfeeding at www.ama-assn.org.

 

5. Healthy food is usually green food. Your child will benefit from local fruits and vegetables at home. Take him to the local market or, if possible, a farm to learn about fresh food. Encourage him to start a garden in the backyard or grow some herbs in a

pot at home. He is less likely to develop food allergies or sensitivities if he is not eating processed, packaged, or fast foods.

 

6. Green food makes you smarter. Diet is critical for learning. Parents can pitch a

green school lunch partnership plan that is both healthy and financially responsible. If schools and school boards know that healthy cafeteria options don’t inflate the budget,

it is hard to argue against them. For example, a school garden is a great education

tool and a source of nutritious food for students.

 

7. Travel green. Don’t let your child develop an automobile addiction. Seek out destinations that you can reach together safely on foot or by bicycle. It is a great way

to share time together and get fit. When the car cannot be avoided, try to combine errands or carpool with other families. Carpooling is a great, green way for parents to share the travel load.

 

8. Seek out green products for your kids. When you buy her toys, clothes and bath products, take some time to find eco-friendly, safe options. Green products for babies

and children are growing in popularity.

Eco- parenting is simple parenting if you stick to the basics. Just add love.